THE proposed £15m new leisure village for Ellesmere Port has been approved by the council’s executive – but will be called in by Labour who are determined to get a 50m pool.

After 87% of people quizzed by the council’s own consultation said they wanted a 50m pool, swimming clubs and Labour councillors have been arguing the 25m pool proposed is not big enough.

But Conservative councillor Stuart Parker dismissed the more than 800 respondents to the consultation on leisure provision in Ellesmere Port, stating: “That’s 816 out of a population of about 80,000 so it is a very, very small number.”

Describing those people who didn’t respond to the consultation, Cllr Lynn Riley said: “We have to assume that they are largely quite excited about what is coming to town.”

Tory council leader Mike Jones, acting as chair of the meeting, described claims made by Labour leader and Ellesmere Port Cllr Justin Madders that alternative providers could have built a 50m pool for less money as “a lot of rubbish”.

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